By Annie Goodykoontz

If there is a class offered at Tempe Prep, chances are Jeff Veenstra has taught it.

Mr. Veenstra has taught 13 different classes in his 13 years at Tempe Prep. So which class is his favorite? “While I enjoy teaching any class where students are engaged in the learning, among my favorites are 12th-grade Humane Letters, Greek II, and the former 11th-grade Humane Letters (when it centered on the Ancient History and Literature material),” he said. “I enjoy teaching the history of ideas through Great Books,” he continues

Mr. Veenstra got his bachelor’s degree from Calvin College, in Michigan. He then went on to get his master’s degree at Penn State and afterwards began his teaching career. “Before Tempe Prep, I taught at a few colleges in the Midwest, Penn State, Calvin College, Hope College, and Grand Valley State University,” he said. “Then I moved to Arizona and taught at Chandler Prep and Mesa Prep (now Arete Prep) before coming over to TPA.”

When asked what he likes best about Tempe Prep, Mr. Veenstra said, “I especially love the relationships forged at Tempe Prep. I enjoy watching students learn and grow more excited about the world around them and their place in it.”

The strength of the faculty is something he also values. “I also really enjoy my colleagues on the faculty and staff,” he says, “They are a fun, smart, and dedicated group of people to work with.”

Throughout his 13 years at Tempe Prep, Mr. Veenstra has accumulated a lot of good memories. His favorite involves his own family. “It is probably watching my son defend his Senior Thesis,” he said. “I am always proud of how our students share their maturity, poise, and understanding during the defenses. It was really nice to see my own child do it, too.”